Signal-element construction



J. B. wEsT SIGNAL ELEMENT CONSTRUCTION Filed July 24, 1925 /3 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 16, 1928. 1

UNITED STATES PATENT: OFFICE.

JOHN B. wEsT, or SYRACUSE, NEW Yonk.

SIGNAL-ELEMENT CONSTRUCTION.

, Application filed Iuly 24, .1925. Serial No. 45,846..

composed of'light material as glass or cellu loid of different colors, and theparticular object of the invention is the frame signal element, which frame not only unites the parts of different colors and acts as a support for the signal element, but also increases the visibility of the indicator member or arrow of the signal element by setting it off or contrast it, particularly at night from he remaining portions of the signal element. The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and construc' tions hereinafter'sct forth and claimed.

In describing this invention reference 15 had to the accompanyingdrawin s in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the-views. y 7

Figure 1 is a face view, of this signal element.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken en'trally on 1, a means and of the enclosing case being also F res 3 and 4 are respectively detail views of the disk member and the indicator member of the signal eleme. 3. Y

This signal element comprises generally an outerdiscoidal member, of transparent or translucent material of a signal color as a tail light color or red, the disk having an opening for the indicator member, and the indicator member, as an arrow covering the opening and being of different color from the disk member, as white or yellow, and a supporter frame for the signal elementby which the disk member and indicator mam-- her are unitedand by which the signal element can be mounted upon means for moving it about an axis, which frame or support is so located as to increase the visibility and contrast between the disk and arrow particularly at night.

1 designates the disk member having an arrow-shaped opening 2 therein, the disk member being preferably of celluloid or fiberloid, although it maybe of any transportion of the actuating parent or translucent material as glass. 'As

this signal member is intended to be used in most instances as a tail light the disk 1 is red.

opening 2 in the disk member 1, the outer margin of the arrow 3 lapping the margin of the disk 1 around the arrow-shaped open- "heframe 4:] of the signal member acts to unite the disk 1 and the arrow 3, and is in the form of a borderv around the arrow 3, preferably on the outer side thereof. This frame is preferably of thin metal and is secured to the overlapping margins of the arrow 3 and thedisk 1 by fastenin members as'rivets 5, passing through ho es in -the frame 4 and through alined holes 6 and 7 in the.lapping margins of the disk 1 and ar- 3, is the indicator member which is in the form of an arrow, arranged to cover the row'3. Preferably-in order to give further lity to the frame but more particularly to give greater visibility to the arrow by preventing the red light through the disk 1 Irom spreading onto the yellow or white arrow, the frame is formed along its outer margin with an angular flange or shield 8 attending entirely around thevframe. If desired anadditional arrow-shaped-frame member may be provided on the rear side of the disk 1, but without the flange 8, this being'secured in position by the same rivets or fastening members that secure. the frame 4, disk member land arrow 3t0getherr T his si'gnal'is designed to normally stand with the arrow pointed upwardly and to be turneda quarter of a turn to the right orto the left to indicate that the vehicle is to make a right or left turn, and the signal member is so moved about its axis by any suitable actuating means including a shaft 9 having a radial arm 10 spaced-apart from the signalelement 1, the arm lOhaving a throwing of shadows on the signal element from the lamp 13.

It will be, understood that the signal element, lamp, and actuating mechanismis element to the actuating means, but also the arrow is clearly and sharply visible, at a comparatively greater distance owing to the border around it formed by the frame, and further owing to the flange or shield 4 the contrast between the red disk and the yellow or White arrow 15! maintained at as great a distance it is necessary for the arrow to be visible.

Furthermore such border or frame permits a much smaller arrow to be used and be visible at the required distance, than if such border and frame were not used.

By this construction of signal element, the signal can be embodied in the limits or area of the tail light lens, and leave ample tail light, and at the same time the arrow is clearly and sharply visible at any dis tance, that it is necessary to be visible in order to give an effective signal.

What I claim is l. A signal element, comprising a transparent background disk movable about an axis, and a transparent pointer of a different color from the disk, the pointer being movable about an'axis with the disk, and a finale for the signal element, the frame being of the same outline as the pointer, the disk and pointer bein secured to the frame, and arranging to form a border therefor.

2. A signal element, comprising a transparent background disk movable about an axis, and a transparent pointer of a different color fromthe disk, the pointer being'movable about an axis with. the disk, and aframe for the signal element, tl'e frame being of the same outline as the pointer, the disk and pointer being secured to the frame, and arranged to form a border therefor, and means for rotating the element about its axis, said means being connected tothe frame.

3. A signal element, comprising a transparent background disk movable about an axis, and a transparent pointer of a different 7 color from the disk, the pointer being movable about an axis with the disk, and an opaque border around the pointer, the border having an outwardly extending light shielding flange arranged at an angle to the face of the signal element.

this 15th day of July,

4. A signal element, comprising a transparent background disk movable about an axis, and a transparent pointer of a different color from the disk, the pointer being movable about an axis with the disk, and a frame for the signal element, the frame being of the same outline as the pointer, and arranged to form a border therefor, the disk and pointer being secured to the frame, and means for rotating the signal element about its axis, said means being connected to the frame, said frame having a forwardly extending light shielding flange at an angle to the face of the signal element.

5. A signal element, comprising a transparent disk member movable about an axis and having an opening therethrougl'i, a transparent indicator member closing the opening of the disk member, the margin of the indicator member lapping the n argin of the disk member around the opening, a frame extending around theindicator memher on the outer face of the signal element,

and attached to the lapping margins of the disk and indicator member.

6. A signal element, comprising a transparent disk member movable about an axis, and having an opening therethrough, an indicator member covering the opening of the disk member, the margin of the indicator member lapping the margin of the disk member around the opening, aframe extending around the indicator member on the outer face of the signal element, and attach ed to the lapping margins of the disk and indicator member secured to the frame, and

means for rotating the signal element;

7. A signal element, comprising a trans parent disk member'lnovable about an axis and having an opening therethrough, an indicator member covering the opening of the disk member, the margin of the indicator member lapping the margin of the disk member around the opening, a frame extending around the indicator member on the outer face of the signal element, and attached to the lapping. margins of the disk andv indicator membeiy the frame being-located on the front face of the signal element and having a forwardly extending marginal flange. r p In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, and in the State of New York,

JOHN B. l/VEST. 

